We always mention in our literature that ThePetCheckup does not test for every illness that can affect our pets. One of these illnesses is arthritis.

There are several different types of arthritis..osteoarthritis (or degenerative joint disease) is the most common by far. By the time you notice your pet is showing outward symptoms, it is often the case that the disease has progressed quite far. So it is important to be aware of early symptoms as there are many things that can be done to slow the progression of the disease.

Most common symptoms to be aware of are:

Hesitation or reluctance to jump, walk up stairs, or walk.

Lameness.

Stiffness when first waking up.

Licking of specific areas of joints.

Obvious pain when you touch or rub certain joints.

We can notice many changes in behavior with careful observation. I am giving more attention to massaging Chloe and Kate’s joints now and watching for signs of stiffness or pain.